Uploading & payment

This page will explain our expectations of deliverables, such as merging your bracketed DNGs, how to prep your files for upload, and how to use the uploading tool.
img

File handling

Prepping your files 

For Homes assignments, be sure to merge your brackets before uploading. No bracketing is required for Experiences and Services. Once merged, convert your RAW files to DNG—this format preserves the most data for retouching and uploads more efficiently.
  1. Export as DNGs using the following file naming:
    2. ListingID_Market_ShootDate(YYMMDD).DNG           Example: 123456_Paris_231025.DNG
  2. Set your image format to DNG. If you find that your images are uploading too slowly, you can use lossy compression.
*Do not upload jpegs, tiffs, psd, png, or DNGs converted from either of these formats. Your file types should have the ‘Adobe color’ profile attached to them. If they don't, your files will have upload issues.Learn more on bracketing in the Homes creative brief.(This visual illustrates Adobe’s interface. The principles should be the same across other software.)
A screenshot of the export screen.

Merge brackets

HOMES PROGRAM ONLYImages should be bracketed when an interior has a considerable difference between inside and outside exposures. Please merge your bracketed images before uploading. Keep in mind that we only need the final merged images in your submission, not single bracketed assets. We encourage using Adobe Photoshop Lightroom software for merging HDR images and converting files to DNG format to prevent compatibility issues in post-production. Adobe’s features help maintain color profiles, metadata, and visual quality, providing more flexibility for achieving professional results, regardless of the camera model used. We recommend Camera RAW version 12 or above while exporting DNGs in Adobe Photoshop Lightroom Software. For file conversion and bracket merging, please refrain from using Photometrix software (we recommend alternative tools such as Adobe Lightroom, Photoshop, Bridge, or Capture One. ). 

Uploading process

Using the uploader

Once you’ve finished merging your images and are ready to upload, head to the assignment page in Navigate.
  1. Return to the ‘Your assignments’ section of your account and select ‘Pending submission’.
  2. Locate the correct assignment.
  3. On the right hand side, click ‘Open’ to open the assignment page.
  4. In order for the ‘Upload’ button to appear, the time must be after the scheduled photoshoot. Once it’s visible, click ‘Upload Assets’.
Two screenshots of the Airbnb Navigate platform showing the process for uploading assets after a photoshoot: the first shows the 'Your assignments' page highlighting a pending submission, and the second shows the 'Upload your assets' page with buttons to upload files and submit to Airbnb.

Adding your files

The upload process happens directly on Navigate, which stores the files for post production. To upload your files:
  1. Click ‘Upload Assets’ at the top of the assignment details.
  2. Drag and drop your assets into the box or click ‘Upload’ to select the files from your system.
TroubleshootingIf your files are not accepted, it likely means you have the wrong file format. Do not upload jpegs, tiffs, psd, png, or DNGs converted from any of these formats.
A screenshot of the Airbnb Navigate interface showing the 'Upload DNG Photos' pop-up with options to drag and drop files or click 'Upload,' along with a note stating that only merged images and DNG files converted from RAW are accepted.

Selecting the files

The files will show up below the uploader box. If at any point you need to add additional files, you can simply drag them into the uploader box at the top.
  1. You can click ‘Select all’ or manually select the files you want to upload by ticking the checkboxes.
  2. Once all relevant files are selected, click ‘Confirm upload’.
* You can delete files by hovering over the file, and clicking the trash can that appears on the right.
A modal window on an Airbnb interface showing the 'Upload DNG Photos' screen. It includes options to drag and drop assets, select all files, delete selected files, and confirm the upload. A trash can icon is highlighted to indicate the delete function, with a red 'Confirm upload' button at the bottom.

Uploading

At the top of the uploader, you’ll see the uploading percentage completed. 100% will indicate all assets have been completed and are ready to be submitted.
  1. Click ‘Submit’.
Pro Tip: If your upload speed is limited, you may be prompted to retry uploading some images. Simply click ‘retry’. If you submit the assignment prematurely, please email photography@airbnb.com.
A screenshot of an upload progress window titled 'Upload DNG Photos,' showing 10 out of 10 assets uploaded with a red progress bar at 100% and a 'Submit' button highlighted at the bottom right corner.

Adding photoshoot notes

Before submitting your assignment, you can add relevant notes for our team. This may include notes from the host on directions they provided you, obstacles your experienced at the listing, model release forms you weren’t able to acquire, or other important information you feel would be useful in the post production process. To do this:
  1. Once the upload is complete, return to Navigate and click ‘Submit  to Airbnb’.
  2. On the pop-up, please provide the editor with your notes or specific requests from the host. 
  3. Review and click all three check boxes before pressing ‘Submit’.
Once you’ve submitted the assignment, the status of your project will then change to ‘Assets in review’.Pro tip: If you saved notes in the ‘Personal Notes’ section on the assignment that would be useful, you can copy it before starting the upload process. Then paste it when you reach the ‘Notes’ section.
A pop-up window on an Airbnb interface prompting users to confirm submission of files, with checkboxes for upload confirmation, quality adherence, and editor notes, alongside a field for additional notes and a red 'Submit' button.

Need more assets

Our team will review assets as they are submitted.  If the assets submitted are rejected, you will receive an email notification. Click the link in the email to be taken to the assignment page for more detail (as seen here).
  1. The assignment page will  show the exact reason of rejection and invite you to upload the correct assets. The most common reasons for rejection include uploading DNGs that were converted from jpeg, psd, or tiff, and submitting unmerged bracketed files.
  2. Once the updated assets are uploaded to Navigate, click on the ‘Submit to Airbnb’ button on the assignment page in Navigate.
Important note: If you’re having trouble re-uploading images, it could be because an asset with the same filename already exists. You will need to delete the old asset, by clicking the trash icon, in order to replace it with the new file.
A screenshot of the Mediabox tool, notifying photographer of rejection reason.

Payments

Set-upPayout method

If you haven’t already, be sure to update your payout method by following our instructions.Once you’ve successfully submitted the images, we begin the payment process. Payments are made within 30 days of completion of the photoshoot.
Follow this payout method guide

Set-upPayout method

If you haven’t already, be sure to update your payout method by following our instructions.Once you’ve successfully submitted the images, we begin the payment process. Payments are made within 30 days of completion of the photoshoot.
Follow this payout method guide

Locating Payments

To locate your payment for any assignment:
  1. Start by clicking on the ‘Payment’ navigation tab at the top.
  2. Filter your assignments by date.
  3. If you experience any issues, use the chatbot.
Screenshot of the Airbnb payments dashboard, highlighting the 'Payments' navigation tab, date filter options, and chatbot button for assistance.

Resources

We support several different photography programs for Airbnb hosts. Explore each program’s guide for tips on communicating with hosts, following creative guidelines, and applying best practices tailored to each assignment.
Resource centerResource center
Resource Center
Navigate